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Description
The area of Sveta Nedelja town lies on the geothermal aquifer, ''''svetonedeljsko'''' geothermal body, documented in the "Geothermal Potential Study" and the study "Delineation and characterization of geothermal groundwater bodies in the Republic of Croatia". There is a geothermal exploitation field Sveta Nedjelja. The geothermal field is 1.06 ha. owned by a project partner EKOPLODOVI, founded by Zarja. The reserve study confirmed the amount of 25 l / s of water at 70 oC. that is discharged into the canal after exploitation. The City of Sveta Nedelja wants to expand the use of geothermal water, and has carried out preparatory work for research throughout the city: geothermal water research is part of urban plans. The first goal of the research is the possibility of using geothermal water in the area of the future sports and recreation centre in the east of the city.
In the research process, several locations will be valorized as potential places for the exploitation of geothermal water, and the optimal location for drilling a new well will be proposed. The project partner using water from the N-1 well will be provided with an insight into the development of the aquifer and the determination of the optimal area for the possible expansion of the existing geothermal field. The partner EFLA from Iceland, in the part of the project promotion and visibility, will enable broadening knowledge on the use of geothermal energy and the promotion of the use of geothermal resources among the citizens. During the research, a model of simulation of geothermal reservoir production will be developed and the optimal distances of production wells will be determined, as well as the need for injection wells. Through the implementation of the project, Sveta Nedelja town will initiate using of geothermal aquifers for several consumers, without disrupting physical relations underground and will reduce CO2 emissions.
Summary of project results
The implementation of the project achieved the Programmme''s goal of increasing the use of energy technologies with lower carbon emissions and increased security of energy supply, and it was achieved by developing project and technical documentation, which is the basis for further implementation of the project, the execution of exploratory wells. During the project, documentation was developed as part of the preparatory activities for exploration in the area of the City of Sveta Nedelja. The documentation for the tender for obtaining an exploration permit was submitted, an offer was made and a Permit was obtained in July 2023 by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. The permit is valid until July 2028. A geological and geophysical study was developed and five locations in the Sveta Nedelja 2 exploration area and one location in the Sveta Nedelja 1 exploration area were selected for exploration of geothermal water of different temperatures.
As part of the project, the Exploration Well Project (SNGT-2) Mala Gorica GT-1 was created, which laid the foundations for further mining drilling and bringing the geothermal potential of the City. Also, Research Permit was obtained, the geothermal resource was valorized, and the basic assumptions for the production of geothermal energy for public institutions and private entities in the city were set. The calculated amounts of energy that can be produced are higher than those predicted during the project application. In addition to the confirmed production possibilities of 25 l/s from the new well in the area of the Sports Recreation Center at a temperature of 75o C, the possibility of obtaining geothermal water in the same quantities at a temperature of 85o C as well as activating three additional locations in the city area was established. During the duration of the project, the project partner EKO PLODOVI Llc obtained a Research Permit, geophysical data were recorded on the research area, which enabled the location of the geothermal well. The calculated amounts of energy that can be produced are higher than those predicted during the project application. With the confirmed production possibilities of 25 l/s from the new well in the area of the Sveta Nedjelja 1 research area, a temperature of 75o C is expected. Donor Project partner EFLA became familiar with the geothermal potential of the area, and contacts and knowledge were exchanged, opening up opportunities for business cooperation in the future. The prepared project and technical documentation and the obtaining of exploration permits have created the necessary prerequisites for further activities, namely the construction of exploratory wells and the exploitation of geothermal water for the purpose of using energy technologies with lower carbon emissions and increased security of energy supply.
Project management, information and communication activities were carried out. Communication plan was developed and all planned activities were implemented: publications on the city''s website and Facebook page, the project manager''s LinkedIn and in the media, a commemorative plaque was installed, posters, leaflets and brochures were produced. The City of Sveta Nedelja organized a presentation of the Geothermal Potential Study of the Sveta Nedelja -2 geothermal water exploration area in November 2023. Two workshops were held in cooperation with the project partner EFLA in Sveta Nedelja and in Vukovar. The project partner EKOPLODOVI held a workshop with a visit to the Rajska greenhouses and a final conference was held on 29.04.2024. The public was informed about all fair activities via the city''s website and Facebook page, social networks and through the media (portals, TV, radio, etc.).
The project promoter received a Decision on issuing a permit for geothermal water exploration in the Sveta Nedelja 2 exploration area in July 2023. The activities that preceded obtaining it were: preparing a proposal for announcing a competition for geothermal water exploration at the IPGV City of Sveta Nedelja and preparing a bid for the competition and applying for the announced AZU competition.
Project and technical documentation was prepared: Study of the geothermal potential of the Sveta Nedelja -2 geothermal water exploration area, preliminary design of the Sveta Nedelja GT-2 well, Environmental Protection Study, Sveta Nedelja-2 exploration well project, project and technical documentation with CBA analysis related to infrastructure solutions and economic profitability of geothermal water "Sveta Nedelja 2" for heating purposes at the City location with an emphasis on the heating infrastructure of the sports and recreation center.
For the project partner EKOPLODOVI Llc, a permit for geothermal water exploration in the Sveta Nedelja 1 exploration area was obtained in July 2023. The activities that preceded obtaining it were: preparation of a proposal for the invitation to tender for geothermal water exploration and preparation of a tender offer and application for the tender published by the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency.
An analysis and processing of available geological geochemical well and 2D seismic data obtained in the tender documentation for the Sveta Nedelja-1 exploration area was prepared, a preliminary design for magneto-telluric research in the Sveta Nedelja-1 geothermal water exploration area and project and technical documentation: in the form of a preliminary design for drilling the SNGT-1 well.
Within the framework of the legal obligation, a Study on the reserves of the Sveta Nedelja geothermal water field - first amendment and a Study on the reserves of the Sveta Nedelja geothermal water field, second amendment, were prepared for the exploitation geothermal water field of Sveta Nedelja.
IT equipment was also purchased as part of the project.
Permits for exploration have been obtained in the SVETA NEDJELJA 2 exploration area and the SVETA NEDJELJA 1 exploration area.
A potential analysis has been made and 6 micro-locations have been selected for the use of geothermal energy in the future through Geothermal Potential Studies.
Quantification of geothermal potential and reduction of CO2 emissions as well as the conducted exploration activities in accordance with the permit: measurement of geophysical data, preparation of a Geological and Geophysical Study, preparation of documentation for drilling an exploratory well.
In the area of the sports center, as the primary objective of the research, measurements and analyses have confirmed the geothermal potential and the possibility of obtaining geothermal water at a temperature of 75º C in a quantity of 25 l/s. In addition to the primary location, there are locations in the area of Bestovje, Strmec, the narrower area of the city and in the southwestern part of the city, in the area of Mala Gorica. Since the temperatures and energy efficiency are highest in the southern area, it was decided that the documentation planned to be created as part of the geothermal water project should be directed there. The preliminary project for the construction of the SNGT-2 borehole was created, which covered all the selected locations, while the location in the south is described in more detail in the document as an engineering type example.
The calculated amounts of energy that can be produced are higher than those predicted during the project application. In addition to the confirmed possibility of producing 25 l/s from a new well in the area of the Sports Recreation Center at a temperature of 75º C, the possibility of obtaining geothermal water in the same quantities at a temperature of 85º C as well as activating three additional locations in the city area was established.
The public was made aware of the existence of geothermal potential through workshops held and through announcements and publications in the media, various portals, TV shows, websites and social media pages of the project holder about the implemented activities and benefits of this project, as well as the produced leaflets, brochures and posters. Through all of the above, the population of the city of Sveta Nedelja and beyond was informed and presented with the benefits, advantages and importance of implementing this project.
Summary of bilateral results
The partnership with EFLA Consulting Engineers from Iceland as experts in the field of geothermal energy utilization contributed to the project results through bilateral meetings held at EFLA during a study visit to Iceland in September 2023 and during the visit of EFLA representatives to the City of Sveta Nedelja in April 2024, when workshops were held, one in Sveta Nedelja and one in Vukovar, with project partner EFLA Consulting, where they conveyed to us the technical and social aspects of geothermal energy production in Iceland. Cooperation with a project partner from a donor country contributed to the achievement of project results through advice and examples from EFLA experts during the preparation of our project technical documentation. Through a study trip to Iceland organized by EFLA, the City of Sveta Nedelja and project partner Ekoplodovi were introduced to examples of geothermal energy utilization in Iceland. Communication with the partner from the donor country was positive in the direction of expertise and the use of their advice when creating documentation and training and strengthening the project team of the project holder as well as the project partner EKOPLODOVI Llc.The biggest challenge was the difference in the interpretation of the documentation and justifying the costs of the project partner from Iceland. Differences in legal regulations between the Republic of Croatia and the donor country.